Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

The investigation into Heather Strong's disappearance ends in the most devastating way possible. What began as a missing person case becomes a murder trial that sends ripples through Florida's legal system for years to come.

Heather Strong was 26 years old when her life was brutally cut short. A mother of two young children, McKinzie and Zachary, she had spent years navigating a turbulent relationship with her ex-partner Joshua Fulgham while trying to build a better life for her family. Her cousin Misty, who grew up with Heather in Mississippi, described her as the sister she never had.

On February 15, 2009, in a storage trailer in rural Boardman, Florida, Heather walked into a trap. Lured by promises of hidden money, she instead found herself bound to a chair with duct tape, a plastic bag sealed over her head. According to court testimony, she remained conscious for approximately five agonizing minutes as she suffocated. Joshua Fulgham and his pregnant girlfriend Emilia Carr worked in tandem to restrain her, silence her pleas for help, and end her life.

The investigation that followed was methodical and relentless. Deputy Billings from the Marion County Sheriff's Office pieced together witness accounts, jailhouse recordings, and forensic evidence. When detectives enlisted Fulgham's sister to wear a wire, Carr's admissions unraveled completely. On March 19, 2009, Fulgham led investigators to a shallow grave on property owned by Carr's mother, where Heather's decomposing remains confirmed what her family had feared.

Both perpetrators faced justice. Emilia Carr was initially sentenced to death in 2011 by a 7-5 jury vote. Following the 2016 Hurst v. Florida Supreme Court decision declaring non-unanimous death penalty recommendations unconstitutional, she was resentenced to life without parole in June 2017. Joshua Fulgham received life without parole in April 2012. Heather's two children were eventually adopted into new families.

This episode contains audio from court proceedings and investigative interviews. Listener discretion is advised.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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On a February evening in 2009, a young mother vanished from rural Marion County, Florida, lured to a storage trailer by promises that masked a deadly betrayal. What investigators would uncover weeks later would reveal a calculated murder born from a toxic love triangle and a bitter custody battle.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Heather Strong was 26 years old, a hardworking mother of two young children, McKinzie and Zachary. She worked the morning shift at the Iron Skillet restaurant in Reddick, Florida, supporting her family through the service industry. Those who knew her described a woman caught in a turbulent on-again, off-again relationship with Joshua Fulgham, a pattern that had defined much of her adult life. Despite the instability, Heather remained devoted to her children and had recently begun building a new life away from Fulgham's control.

THE CRIME:

On February 15, 2009, Heather was lured to a storage trailer in Boardman by her estranged husband Joshua Fulgham and his pregnant girlfriend Emilia Carr under the pretense of retrieving money. Once inside, she was bound to a chair with duct tape while Fulgham confronted her about custody papers for their children. The attack escalated when a plastic bag was placed over her head and sealed with tape around her neck. Medical examiners determined she suffocated over approximately five agonizing minutes while fully conscious. Her body was buried in a shallow grave on the property, where it remained undiscovered for over a month.

THE INVESTIGATION:

When Heather's cousin Misty Strong reported her missing on February 24, 2009, Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies began canvassing her known associates. The trail led quickly to Joshua Fulgham and the volatile history between the couple, including his January 2009 arrest for pointing a shotgun at Heather. Through persistent interviews, Emilia Carr's story unraveled, eventually leading investigators to the burial site on March 19, 2009, where Heather's decomposed remains were unearthed.

CURRENT STATUS:

Both perpetrators were convicted. Emilia Carr was initially sentenced to death in 2011, but following the U.S. Supreme Court's Hurst v. Florida ruling, she was resentenced to life without parole in 2017. Joshua Fulgham received life without parole in 2012. Both remain incarcerated in the Florida correctional system. Heather's two children were adopted into new families following the murder.

AUDIO NOTE:

This episode features detailed accounts of the crime reconstructed from court testimonies, confessions, and forensic evidence. Listener discretion is advised.

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On March 15, 2024, a Piedmont, Oklahoma police officer responded to a routine runaway report that would uncover one of the most disturbing child abuse cases in recent Oklahoma history.

The officer found a 14-year-old girl hiding under a blanket, weighing approximately 60 pounds—the size of a first grader. Her skin hung from her bones, and her eyes carried a fear that went far beyond a typical runaway. She had fled from her foster mother, 43-year-old Tina Marie Ramirez, and she was terrified to go back.

What the officer discovered inside the Ramirez home shocked even veteran investigators. Every cabinet was padlocked. The refrigerator was locked. The pantry was locked. Surveillance cameras covered every room in the house. The children couldn't access food without permission—and permission was rarely granted.

The officer found a taser that Tina had used as "discipline" on the malnourished children. He also discovered a handwritten letter from one of the children, addressed to God, its desperate words scrawled by a child who had lost hope that any human would help.

This was the girl's seventh runaway attempt. For reasons that remain unclear, this time someone finally listened.

Five foster children were immediately removed from the home and evaluated at OU Children's Hospital, where medical professionals described it as one of the worst malnutrition cases they had ever seen. The children were placed with their biological grandmother, Shelly Yates, who described them as "fragile and very thin" upon arrival.

On March 28, 2024, Tina Marie Ramirez was charged in Canadian County District Court with four counts of child abuse by injury, two counts of child neglect, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Her husband, 26-year-old Anthony Ibeziako, was charged with two counts of child neglect and child abuse for failing to intervene. Both remain free while court proceedings continue.

As of early 2026, the children are reportedly recovering with their grandmother—gaining weight, attending school, and slowly rebuilding their lives away from the locks, cameras, and fear.

This episode features body camera footage, police interrogation recordings, and 911 dispatch audio. Listener discretion is advised.

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Part 2 of 2: In our conclusion to the Baby Lollipops case, we examine the final months of three-year-old Lazaro Figueroa's life, the investigation that followed his discovery, and the decades-long pursuit of justice that saw his mother convicted three separate times.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Lazaro Figueroa never had a chance at a normal childhood. Born in September 1987, just weeks after his father, drug dealer Fidel Figueroa, was murdered in Miami, Lazaro became the target of his mother's resentment as her lavish lifestyle collapsed. At three years old, he weighed only eighteen pounds, half what a healthy child his age should weigh. His left arm had been broken so many times that muscle tissue calcified into bone, freezing the limb at a permanent ninety-degree angle. Despite the relentless abuse, witnesses recalled him running across streets alone, a tiny figure navigating a hostile world without protection.

THE CRIME:

On the morning of November 2, 1990, Florida Power and Light employees discovered Lazaro's body hidden beneath bushes outside a Miami Beach mansion. His emaciated frame bore forty-three documented injuries: cigarette burns, defensive wounds on his small hands, a fractured skull, and two front teeth knocked out months apart. Brown packing tape secured a soiled diaper to his wasted body. Medical examiner Dr. Bruce Hyma determined Lazaro had endured eighteen months of systematic torture, including being bound, gagged, locked in closets, and left in bathtubs with scalding or freezing water. The cause of death was blunt force trauma from a baseball bat, compounded by starvation and extensive bodily trauma. Most devastating: Lazaro may have survived up to three days after being abandoned, lying alone and helpless before death finally came.

THE INVESTIGATION:

Police initially could not identify the child and dubbed him Baby Lollipops after the cartoon candy pattern on his T-shirt. The nickname stuck as investigators canvassed Miami Beach with flyers. On November 6, Martha Fleitas recognized the photograph on television and identified Lazaro. The investigation led to his mother, Ana Maria Cardona, and her partner Olivia Gonzalez Mendoza, who had fled to St. Cloud, Florida, stopping at Disney World after disposing of the body. Neighbor Mercedes Estrada reported hearing screams on Halloween night followed by a heavy thump against her wall, then silence. Her report to social services went unanswered.

CURRENT STATUS:

Ana Maria Cardona's path through the courts spanned nearly three decades. She was sentenced to death in 1992, but the conviction was overturned in 2002 due to a Brady violation. Convicted and sentenced to death again in 2011, that conviction was overturned in 2016 for prosecutorial misconduct. In 2017, prosecutors waived the death penalty, and Cardona was found guilty a third time, receiving life without parole. Judge Miguel de la O told her that wild beasts show more empathy for their offspring. Olivia Gonzalez Mendoza served fourteen years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Cardona's eldest son, Juan Puente, died in prison in 2018 at age thirty-seven. The only publicly available photograph of Lazaro Figueroa shows him in death.

RESOURCES:

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On November 2, 1990, Florida Power and Light workers discovered the emaciated body of a small child hidden in the bushes of a wealthy Miami Beach home. The boy, dressed only in a lollipop-decorated T-shirt and a soiled diaper wrapped in brown packing tape, had been beaten, starved, and systematically tortured. He weighed just eighteen pounds. This is part one of the story of how a mother's resentment turned deadly.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Lazaro Figueroa was born September 18, 1987, into what should have been a life of comfort. His father, Fidel Figueroa, was a well-connected drug dealer who kept his family in a lavish penthouse overlooking Biscayne Bay. But fate intervened before Lazaro ever drew breath. Just two days after his birth, his father was executed in a gangland-style shooting outside a Miami riverfront bar. The murder was never solved. From that moment forward, Lazaro became the target of his mother's displaced rage, blamed for the loss of everything she had.

THE CRIME:

Ana Maria Cardona's abuse of Lazaro began shortly after he was returned to her custody from foster care in late 1988. Over the next eighteen months, she systematically starved, beat, and confined her son in conditions the Dade County Medical Examiner would later call the worst child abuse he had ever witnessed. Lazaro spent weeks locked in closets and tied to beds. His arm was broken and left untreated, eventually becoming fixed at a ninety-degree angle. His two front teeth were knocked out. Cardona wrapped duct tape around his diapers to avoid changing them, leaving his skin raw with bedsores. On October 31, 1990, Cardona beat Lazaro with a baseball bat, fracturing his skull. She then dumped his dying body in the bushes of a Miami Beach mansion and fled the state with her girlfriend, Olivia Gonzalez, stopping at Disney World before their arrest.

THE INVESTIGATION:

Miami Beach police initially could not identify the battered child, dubbing him Baby Lollipops after his T-shirt. Detectives conducted door-to-door interviews in English and Spanish and distributed flyers throughout the community. The break came when a neighbor who had occasionally cared for Lazaro recognized him from police bulletins. The investigation led detectives to Ana Maria Cardona and Olivia Gonzalez, who had fled to central Florida. Both women were arrested within weeks. Gonzalez eventually testified that Cardona had called Lazaro the son of the devil and blamed him for her descent from riches to rags.

CURRENT STATUS:

Ana Maria Cardona has been convicted of first-degree murder three times. Her first two death sentences were overturned by the Florida Supreme Court on procedural grounds. In 2017, she was convicted for the third time and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Olivia Gonzalez served fourteen years for her role in Lazaro's abuse and has since been released.

RESOURCES:

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Escambia County, FL. March 24, 2010. When Tina Brown invited twenty-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman to her trailer under the guise of reconciliation, the young mother had no idea she was walking into an ambush. What would unfold in the following hours represents one of the most horrific crimes in Florida history.

Part 02 of 02.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Audreanna Zimmerman was just twenty years old, a young mother navigating the precarious landscape of poverty in rural Pensacola. She lived in close proximity to Tina Brown's family, sharing the forced intimacy of a mobile home park where everyone knew everyone's business. Despite the tensions that had developed between her and Brown—accusations of slashed tires, broken car windows, reports to child protective services—Zimmerman believed in the possibility of peace. When the invitation came to clear the air, she accepted it with the trust of someone who had not yet learned that reconciliation can be a weapon.

THE CRIME:

On the evening of March 24, 2010, Zimmerman entered Brown's trailer expecting conversation. Instead, she was ambushed with a stun gun. Tina Brown, her sixteen-year-old daughter Britnee Miller, and Heather Lee restrained Zimmerman, beat her, and forced her into the trunk of a car. They drove her to a remote clearing in the Florida woods, where the assault escalated to torture. Zimmerman was struck repeatedly with a crowbar, doused with gasoline, and set on fire. The women left her burning in the clearing, believing they had killed her.

THE INVESTIGATION:

Zimmerman did not die. A third of a mile away, witness Terrance Hendrick heard cries for help and found a figure so badly burned he could not determine her race or whether she wore clothing. Despite injuries that defied comprehension—her skin crackling as she walked, her jaw broken, burns covering the majority of her body—Zimmerman remained conscious. She identified her attackers by name. She told investigators everything that had been done to her. She survived for sixteen days before succumbing to thermal injuries at the University of South Alabama Burn Center.

CURRENT STATUS:

On June 21, 2012, a jury convicted Tina Brown of first-degree murder. On September 28, 2012, she was sentenced to death. The court found the murder was cold, calculated, and premeditated; heinous, atrocious, and cruel; and committed during the course of a kidnapping. Britnee Miller and Heather Lee were also prosecuted for their roles in the crime. Tina Brown remains on Florida's death row.

Content warning: This episode contains extremely graphic descriptions of torture, burning, and prolonged violence against a young woman. Real medical and investigative details. Listener discretion strongly advised.

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On March 24, 2010, nineteen-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman was ambushed by three women she knew from her Pensacola trailer park. What followed was one of the most brutal attacks in Florida criminal history. Beaten with a crowbar, shocked repeatedly with a stun gun, and doused in gasoline before being set ablaze, Audreanna somehow survived the initial attack. Despite burns covering sixty percent of her body, she managed to walk nearly a third of a mile to a nearby house for help. Before slipping into a medically induced coma, she gave authorities the names of her attackers. Sixteen days later, Audreanna died without ever regaining consciousness. She was a mother of two.

Part 1 of 2: Before the crime comes the life. This first episode traces the devastating childhood of Tina Brown, the woman who would orchestrate Audreanna's murder and become one of Florida's only female death row inmates.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Audreanna Redawn Zimmerman was born on April 13, 1990, and was just nineteen years old when her life was taken. A young mother of two, she lived in a Detroit Avenue mobile home park in Escambia County, Florida. Despite the volatile environment of her neighborhood, Audreanna believed she had patched things up with the women who would ultimately kill her. She visited them as a friend on the day she died.

THE CRIME:

The murder of Audreanna Zimmerman stemmed from escalating disputes between trailer park neighbors. Accusations flew about slashed tires, broken windows, and reports to child protective services. The situation reached its breaking point over a romantic entanglement. On that March evening, Tina Brown, her sixteen-year-old daughter Britnee Miller, and neighbor Heather Lee lured Audreanna into a trap that would end with her burning in the Florida woods.

THE INVESTIGATION:

Audreanna's dying declaration proved crucial to the case. She identified all three attackers before losing consciousness. Physical evidence corroborated her account, including a bloodied crowbar and stun gun, a piece of hair weave, and DNA evidence recovered from Brown's vehicle. Authorities waited until Audreanna's death to arrest the suspects, ensuring murder charges that could not be plea-bargained down.

CURRENT STATUS:

Tina Brown was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder in 2012 and sentenced to death. She remains the only woman currently on Florida's death row at Lowell Correctional Institution. Her daughter Britnee Miller, who was sixteen at the time, received a life sentence. Heather Lee accepted a plea agreement and received twenty-five years, with a scheduled release in 2031. Brown's multiple appeals have been denied, most recently in May 2024.

This episode examines how decades of trauma, addiction, and unresolved rage shaped the woman who would commit this unthinkable crime. Part two will cover the night of the attack in full detail.

RESOURCES:

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On March 13, 2020, a long-simmering domestic conflict in Des Moines, Iowa, erupted into fatal violence. Paula Marie Thompson, a 50-year-old claims processor, was beaten to death with a crowbar by her adult son Christopher inside the home they shared on Pleasantview Drive. Her body would not be discovered until five days later.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Paula Thompson was 50 years old at the time of her death. She worked as a claims processor and was known among friends and coworkers as hardworking and responsible. Behind closed doors, however, Paula struggled with a volatile home situation. Her 32-year-old son Christopher still lived with her, financially dependent on her despite years of unemployment and sporadic work through temporary agencies. Paula had confided to friends that she was afraid of Christopher, tired of the drinking, and tired of supporting an adult who showed no progress toward independence.

CASE SIGNIFICANCE:

This case represents a devastating example of domestic violence that did not arrive suddenly. Paula Thompson spent months warning the people around her. She told friends she was afraid. She contacted her son's probation officer multiple times between December 2019 and March 2020, expressing growing fear. She even appeared in a Facebook video whispering to a friend that Christopher was "going to kill" her. Despite these warnings, Paula could not escape the danger living inside her own home.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, blunt force trauma, and animal cruelty. Listener discretion is advised.

KEY CASE DETAILS:

• Paula and Christopher argued on March 13, 2020, both having been drinking. Christopher retrieved a crowbar and struck his mother multiple times in the head. He remained in the home with her body for five days before confessing to a friend over the phone.

• Christopher also killed Paula's cat with the same crowbar, later disposing of the animal's body in a trash can. He pleaded guilty to animal abuse in addition to the murder charge.

• On March 18, 2020, Christopher walked into the Polk County Jail and confessed. He was subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

RESOURCES:

This episode draws from court documents filed in Polk County, Iowa, including criminal complaints and the Iowa Supreme Court opinion in State v. Thompson. Additional sources include reporting from KCCI Des Moines, KCRG, and the Des Moines Register. For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.

SUPPORT OBSCURA:

For extended episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Visit mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura for episode resources, sources, and additional case information.

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On a humid September day in 1997, a man walking his dog discovered the nude body of 26-year-old Tracy Habersham in a ditch near Fort Benning, Georgia. She had been strangled. What investigators couldn't know then was that her death marked the beginning of a six-year killing spree.

Part 2 of 2

VICTIM PROFILE:

Paul Durousseau's victims shared heartbreaking commonalities. They were young African American women—many of them mothers—struggling to build better lives. Tyresa Mack was raising three small children. Nikia Kilpatrick was six months pregnant when she died; her two young sons, aged 11 months and 2 years, were found alive but malnourished beside her body two days later. Shawanda McCalister was also pregnant. These women trusted the wrong person, and that trust cost them everything.

CASE SIGNIFICANCE:

Between 1997 and 2003, Durousseau used his various jobs—security guard, taxi driver—to identify and gain access to vulnerable women. His method was consistent: gain trust, enter their homes, bind them, sexually assault them, then strangle them with whatever cord was available. A phone cord. A coaxial cable. An extension cord tied in a distinctive military-style slipknot. His victims included Tracy Habersham, Tyresa Mack, Nicole Williams, Nikia Kilpatrick, Shawanda McCalister, Jovanna Jefferson, and Surita Cohen. German authorities also suspect him in additional unsolved murders near U.S. military bases during his Army deployment.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault, strangulation, domestic violence, and child endangerment. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

KEY DETAILS:

Durousseau was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1970 and experienced significant brain trauma in utero and as a toddler. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.After graduating high school in 1989, he enlisted in the Army in 1992 and was stationed in Germany, where he married fellow soldier Natoca Spann.In 1997, while stationed at Fort Benning, he was arrested for kidnapping and rape but was acquitted. Less than a month later, Tracy Habersham was found murdered—DNA would eventually link Durousseau to her death.

RESOURCES:

For case documentation, sources, and additional information, visit: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

CREDITS:

Research and narration by Justin Drown. Obscura is an independent true crime documentary podcast dedicated to telling the stories of forgotten victims with unflinching honesty and scholarly research. All information presented draws from court records, police reports, and verified news archives.

SUPPORT OBSCURA:

Join the Obscura community on Patreon for ad-free episodes, extended content, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/

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On a humid September day in 1997, a man walking his dog discovered the nude body of 26-year-old Tracy Habersham in a ditch near Fort Benning, Georgia. She had been strangled. What investigators couldn't know then was that her death marked the beginning of a six-year killing spree.

Part 1 of 2

VICTIM PROFILE:

Paul Durousseau's victims shared heartbreaking commonalities. They were young African American women—many of them mothers—struggling to build better lives. Tyresa Mack was raising three small children. Nikia Kilpatrick was six months pregnant when she died; her two young sons, aged 11 months and 2 years, were found alive but malnourished beside her body two days later. Shawanda McCalister was also pregnant. These women trusted the wrong person, and that trust cost them everything.

CASE SIGNIFICANCE:

Between 1997 and 2003, Durousseau used his various jobs—security guard, taxi driver—to identify and gain access to vulnerable women. His method was consistent: gain trust, enter their homes, bind them, sexually assault them, then strangle them with whatever cord was available. A phone cord. A coaxial cable. An extension cord tied in a distinctive military-style slipknot. His victims included Tracy Habersham, Tyresa Mack, Nicole Williams, Nikia Kilpatrick, Shawanda McCalister, Jovanna Jefferson, and Surita Cohen. German authorities also suspect him in additional unsolved murders near U.S. military bases during his Army deployment.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault, strangulation, domestic violence, and child endangerment. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

KEY DETAILS:

Durousseau was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1970 and experienced significant brain trauma in utero and as a toddler. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.After graduating high school in 1989, he enlisted in the Army in 1992 and was stationed in Germany, where he married fellow soldier Natoca Spann.In 1997, while stationed at Fort Benning, he was arrested for kidnapping and rape but was acquitted. Less than a month later, Tracy Habersham was found murdered—DNA would eventually link Durousseau to her death.

RESOURCES:

For case documentation, sources, and additional information, visit: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

CREDITS:

Research and narration by Justin Drown. Obscura is an independent true crime documentary podcast dedicated to telling the stories of forgotten victims with unflinching honesty and scholarly research. All information presented draws from court records, police reports, and verified news archives.

SUPPORT OBSCURA:

Join the Obscura community on Patreon for ad-free episodes, extended content, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/

Our Sponsors:
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[Part 2 of 2]

On February 24th, 2005, nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford vanished from her bedroom in Homosassa, Florida—taken through an unlocked door while her family slept. The girl who was afraid of the dark, who couldn't sleep without her stuffed purple dolphin, was about to become the center of one of the most heartbreaking cases in American true crime history.

Jessica was a cheerful third-grader who loved singing, helping others, and spending time with her dachshund, Corky. She lived with her father Mark and grandparents Ruth and Archie in a small community where neighbors knew each other. The night she disappeared, she'd just returned from church, been tucked into bed by her grandmother, and fell asleep clutching her favorite toy. By morning, both Jessica and her dolphin were gone.

This case matters because it exposed critical failures in sex offender monitoring and directly resulted in Jessica's Law—legislation that now protects children across the United States with mandatory minimum sentences and lifetime electronic monitoring for predators.

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual assault, and murder. It includes graphic details about the victim's captivity and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In This Episode:

The Investigation: How law enforcement conducted a massive three-week search involving hundreds of volunteers, bloodhounds, helicopters, and multiple agencies—while Jessica was hidden just 65 yards from her home the entire time.The Perpetrator: John Evander Couey, a registered sex offender with a history of violence who was living with his sister next door to Jessica, and how systemic failures allowed him to reoffend.The Aftermath: The heartbreaking discovery, Couey's confession, his death before execution, and how Jessica's death led to the creation of Jessica's Law and Jessie's Place Children's Advocacy Center—saving countless children through strengthened protections.

Resources: If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit www.missingkids.org. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Jessie's Place in Citrus County continues Jessica's legacy by providing free services to abused and traumatized children—learn more about their vital work and how to support them.

This episode was meticulously researched using court documents, police reports, forensic testimony, and news archives from the investigation and trial. All facts have been verified against primary sources.

Support Obscura: Obscura is an independent production dedicated to uncovering forgotten cases with unflinching detail. Join our Black Label community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended cuts, ad-free listening, and exclusive research materials at https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. 

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On February 24th, 2005, nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford vanished from her bedroom in Homosassa, Florida—taken through an unlocked door while her family slept. The girl who was afraid of the dark, who couldn't sleep without her stuffed purple dolphin, was about to become the center of one of the most heartbreaking cases in American true crime history.

Jessica was a cheerful third-grader who loved singing, helping others, and spending time with her dachshund, Corky. She lived with her father Mark and grandparents Ruth and Archie in a small community where neighbors knew each other. The night she disappeared, she'd just returned from church, been tucked into bed by her grandmother, and fell asleep clutching her favorite toy. By morning, both Jessica and her dolphin were gone.

This case matters because it exposed critical failures in sex offender monitoring and directly resulted in Jessica's Law—legislation that now protects children across the United States with mandatory minimum sentences and lifetime electronic monitoring for predators.

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual assault, and murder. It includes graphic details about the victim's captivity and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In This Episode:

The Investigation: How law enforcement conducted a massive three-week search involving hundreds of volunteers, bloodhounds, helicopters, and multiple agencies—while Jessica was hidden just 65 yards from her home the entire time.The Perpetrator: John Evander Couey, a registered sex offender with a history of violence who was living with his sister next door to Jessica, and how systemic failures allowed him to reoffend.The Aftermath: The heartbreaking discovery, Couey's confession, his death before execution, and how Jessica's death led to the creation of Jessica's Law and Jessie's Place Children's Advocacy Center—saving countless children through strengthened protections.

Resources: If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit www.missingkids.org. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Jessie's Place in Citrus County continues Jessica's legacy by providing free services to abused and traumatized children—learn more about their vital work and how to support them.

This episode was meticulously researched using court documents, police reports, forensic testimony, and news archives from the investigation and trial. All facts have been verified against primary sources.

Support Obscura: Obscura is an independent production dedicated to uncovering forgotten cases with unflinching detail. Join our Black Label community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended cuts, ad-free listening, and exclusive research materials at https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. 

Our Sponsors:
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Apopka, Florida. October 30, 1990. When 10-year-old Christine McGowan's stepfather entered her bedroom to wake her for school—he found her lifeless body face down in bed, the sheets beneath her soaked in blood. The door to their home stood slightly ajar. His white construction truck—keys left in the ignition the night before—had vanished.

Christine McGowan was a child who spent her afternoons watching her neighbor at The Lighthouse Mission halfway house craft decorative wooden boats. She stood in the autumn sun asking if she could watch him work, fascinated by his woodworking skill. She had no way of knowing that Elmer Leon Carroll—the seemingly harmless craftsman next door—was a twice-convicted child molester living under pastoral supervision. On the night of October 29, 1990, Carroll's schizophrenic delusions reached a breaking point. Witnesses at Lockhart Tavern watched him drink beer after beer, wrapping his jacket around a chair and holding long conversations with it about demons, devils, and the coming apocalypse. Hours later, he entered the McGowan home through an unlocked door.

This case exposes the catastrophic failures of Florida's 1990s halfway house system and sex offender monitoring. Carroll had served approximately two years and four months of a six-year sentence for child molestation, then served just over seven years for a second offense—both times released with minimal supervision directly into residential neighborhoods. The Lighthouse Mission placed a known predator with untreated severe mental illness next door to a family with a young daughter. The investigation moved swiftly—Carroll was apprehended within hours after stealing the family's truck—but the preventable nature of Christine's death haunted the community for years. Her case became a catalyst for examining how convicted sex offenders with documented psychiatric disorders were supervised after release.

This episode contains detailed discussion of child sexual assault, graphic autopsy testimony, and descriptions of fatal violence against a child. This content may be disturbing. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Details:

The Investigation: Wildlife officer Carl Young spotted Carroll walking on State Road 520 away from the stolen truck just hours after the murder. A box cutter, razor blade, and keys matching the stolen vehicle were found in his possession.Forensic Evidence: Medical examiner Dr. Thomas Hegert testified that Christine died from asphyxiation due to manual strangulation—a process taking 3-4 minutes during which she remained conscious for 1-2 minutes. The autopsy revealed severe sexual trauma and blunt force injury to her head.The Penalty Phase: The jury recommended death by unanimous 12-0 vote. Carroll was executed on May 29, 2013—nearly 23 years after Christine's murder. He refused to make a final statement, and Christine's family members watched him die.

Resources: If you or someone you know has experienced childhood sexual abuse, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at rainn.org. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline offers crisis intervention and professional counseling at 1-800-422-4453.

Credits: Research, writing, and narration by Justin Drown. Production and sound design by Justin Drown. This episode utilized court documents, medical examiner testimony, and contemporary news reporting from the Orlando Sentinel.

Support Obscura: Join our community at patreon.com/obscurapodcast for ad-free episodes, extended cuts, and exclusive Black Label cases. Visit mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura for full episode archive and case resources.

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EXTREME CONTENT WARNING: This BLACK LABEL episode contains graphic descriptions of extreme consensual violence, disturbing audio recordings, and dark web investigation. Rated 10/10 for intensity. Not suitable for all listeners.

In February 2025, footage emerged on dark web forums and Telegram channels documenting what investigators believe may be the first authenticated case of consensual extreme violence captured on film and publicly distributed. The alleged victim, identified by online investigators as Nguyễn Xuân Đạt, a Vietnamese man born March 10, 1989, had spent years openly advertising an extreme fetish on pornography websites and fetish forums. His Facebook biography reportedly read: "Likes to be decapitated." He allegedly wrote: "I'm looking for my executioner."

VERIFICATION NOTE: This case remains officially unconfirmed by Vietnamese law enforcement as of November 2025. The victim's identity, location details, and case circumstances are based on open-source intelligence community investigations, not official police statements or mainstream journalism. VICE reported on this case in August 2025 as "the first established media outlet to report on its existence," but no Vietnamese news organizations have independently verified these events. All details presented in this episode are alleged and unverified by authorities.

According to available evidence, the individual believed to be Nguyễn suffered from severe physical health issues that left him dependent on his parents. Between January 25 and February 24, 2025, the alleged events occurred. The resulting footage—filmed from multiple camera angles—was distributed through underground channels. Internet investigators have analyzed regional accents, identified distinctive details, and traced the content's spread from Vietnamese underground forums to Chinese extreme content marketplaces.

This case represents only the third alleged instance of consensual homicide motivated by mutual extreme gratification—and potentially the first where video evidence entered public circulation. The two verified previous cases occurred in Germany: In 2001, Armin Meiwes killed and consumed engineer Bernd Jürgen Brandes after meeting him on the Cannibal Café forum. That footage remained sealed as evidence. In 2013, former police officer Detlev Günzel found his willing victim on the website Zambian Meat, filming a 50-minute video that also never leaked publicly. The alleged Vietnamese case represents an unprecedented breach of that precedent.

OBSCURA'S APPROACH:

Justin presents this case with complete unflinching detail while acknowledging the severe verification limitations. This BLACK LABEL episode includes authentic audio from the investigation, explores the psychology behind extreme sadomasochistic communities, examines the dark web's role in facilitating these encounters, and addresses the ethical implications of reporting unverified extreme content. Unlike mainstream true crime that sanitizes or sensationalizes, Obscura provides scholarly analysis with primary source documentation—or clearly identifies when official documentation does not exist.

This is BLACK LABEL content: no censorship, complete forensic detail, disturbing audio evidence, and the full complexity of cases that exceed mainstream podcast boundaries. For listeners who demand the complete truth without editorial softening.

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Obscura: A True Crime Podcast is an independent production researched, written, and narrated by Justin Drown. New episodes every Wednesday.

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In January 2025, Nguyen Dat, a 35-year-old Vietnamese man living in Ha Dong, voluntarily sought his own execution—fulfilling a years-long sexual obsession with decapitation. Through extreme pornography forums and dating apps, Nguyen publicly advertised his desire to be beheaded, eventually connecting with an unnamed butcher who shared his fatal fetish.

The killing occurred between January 25 and February 24, 2025, in a makeshift execution chamber. Graphic video footage—leaked to Vietnamese and Chinese Telegram groups—shows Nguyen's decapitation as he reached sexual climax. The butcher then dismembered his body with professional precision, documenting the process across 11 videos and 98 photographs. Evidence suggests the killer cannibalized Nguyen's remains, cooking parts of his body into Vietnamese dishes. When concerned citizens reported the leaked footage to authorities, they discovered Nguyen had been missing for five years.

This case represents only the third confirmed consensual homicide motivated by mutual sexual gratification—and the first where execution footage was publicly leaked. Obscura examines this disturbing intersection of extreme fetishism, voluntary death, and the dark corners of online subcultures where such transactions occur.

[BLACK LABEL CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains extremely graphic descriptions of violence, dismemberment, and cannibalism.]

Explore more obscure true crime cases at mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura. Join Obscura on Patreon to unlock the entire back catalogue ad-free, plus exclusive Black Label premium episodes—darker, longer cases released monthly. Dive deeper into the cases mainstream media forgot.

KEYWORDS: true crime, true crime podcast, Nguyen Dat, Vietnam crime, consensual homicide, voluntary execution, cannibalism case, Ha Dong Vietnam, decapitation, dismemberment, sexual homicide, extreme fetish, guro, murder case, Armin Meiwes, Zambian Meat case, 2025 crime, obscure true crime

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On October 24, 1995, firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Tudor-style home in Prairie Village, Kansas. Thirteen-year-old Timothy Farrar and his six-year-old sister Kelly died in the inferno while their ten-year-old sister Kate escaped by jumping from a second-floor window. Within hours, investigators determined the fire had been deliberately set with multiple gallons of accelerant poured throughout the house—and the trail of evidence led directly to the children's own mother.

VICTIM PROFILE:

Timothy Scott Farrar, 13, and Kelly Christine Farrar, 6, died of smoke inhalation in the deliberately set fire. Kate Farrar, 10, survived by climbing through her bedroom window onto the garage roof and jumping to safety. Their father, Dr. Michael Farrar, a cardiologist, had been systematically poisoned with ricin for months before the fire. The family's two dogs, Boomer (a black Labrador) and Russell (a greyhound), also perished in the blaze.

THE CRIME:

Fire investigation revealed between three and ten gallons of liquid accelerant had been poured throughout the home's main floor, second floor, and basement, creating multiple points of origin. The pour patterns stopped precisely at the master bedroom door—where defendant Dr. Debora Green slept. The accelerant blocked the main stairway, trapping Timothy and Kelly on the second floor. Timothy, following his mother's instructions via intercom to stay in his room and wait for firefighters, never escaped. His body was found where it had fallen through the burned flooring. Kelly died of smoke inhalation in her bed, still in a sleeping position with covers pulled to her waist. The family dog Boomer was found dead under Kelly's bed.

THE INVESTIGATION:

Debora Green's behavior immediately raised suspicions. She arrived at a neighbor's door with wet hair asking them to call 911, despite claiming she had not been near water or flames. During police interviews hours later, she appeared "talkative, even cheerful" and repeatedly referred to Timothy and Kelly in the past tense while they were officially still missing—specifically stating "He used to be my thirteen-year-old" about Timothy before his body was recovered. Laboratory analysis later revealed significant singeing in her hair despite two haircuts before sampling.

The investigation also uncovered months of systematic poisoning. Michael Farrar had suffered mysterious illnesses requiring multiple hospitalizations in 1995, with his weight plummeting to 125 pounds. Doctors diagnosed Streptococcus viridans sepsis but could not identify the root cause. Investigators discovered Debora had purchased ten packets of castor bean seeds from local garden centers in September 1995. FBI testing found ricin antibodies in Michael's blood—evidence of deliberate poisoning with one of the deadliest toxins known.

THE RESOLUTION:

On November 22, 1995, police arrested Debora at the Midland Theater in Kansas City where she had dropped Kate off for ballet practice. Initially charged with first-degree murder, the charges were elevated to capital murder for the plea agreement. On April 17, 1996, she entered an Alford plea—maintaining her innocence while acknowledging prosecutors had sufficient evidence for conviction. The plea removed the death penalty from consideration.

Debora Green received two concurrent "Hard 40" life sentences—forty years without possibility of parole. Multiple psychiatric evaluations revealed complex mental health disorders including schizoid personality disorder, with later clinicians identifying traits of psychopathy, borderline personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. She remains incarcerated at Topeka Correctional Facility in Kansas with an earliest possible release date of November 21, 2035, when she will be 84 years old.

ETHICAL CONTEXT:

This episode contains detailed discussion of child deaths, arson, poisoning, and domestic violence. Obscura presents complete factual accounts of violent crimes with respect for victims while maintaining documentary accuracy.

KEY EPISODE DETAILS:

Fire investigation methodology: Multiple points of origin, accelerant pour patterns, basement staging

Ricin poisoning evidence: Castor bean seed purchases, FBI antibody testing, Michael's medical records documenting Streptococcus viridans sepsis

Alford plea mechanics: Legal strategy allowing innocence claim while accepting conviction based on prosecutorial evidence

RESOURCES & VICTIM ADVOCACY:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: nctsn.org

Fire survivor resources: Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors | phoenix-society.org

Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/

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Resources & Victim Advocacy

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: nctsn.org

Fire survivor resources: Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors | phoenix-society.org

Support Obscura

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On the windy night of October 23, 1995, Dr. Debora Green's three children—thirteen-year-old Tim, ten-year-old Kate, and six-year-old Kelly—went to bed in their beautiful new home on Canterbury Court in Prairie Village, Kansas. By 12:20 AM on October 24, their lives would be forever shattered by a fire that investigators would later determine was no accident.

Part 1 of 2

The Perfect Life, Unraveling

Debora Green seemed to have everything. Born Debora Jones in 1951, she possessed a genius-level IQ of 165, excelled academically, and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1975. She married cardiologist Dr. Michael Farrar in 1979, and together they built what appeared to be an enviable life: successful medical practices, three bright children, and an opulent home in an exclusive Kansas City suburb. But beneath the surface, the marriage was crumbling under the weight of Debora's volatile temper, heavy drinking, and Michael's emotional withdrawal.

By the summer of 1995, Michael had moved out and filed for divorce. Between August and September, he experienced repeated bouts of mysterious, severe gastrointestinal illness that hospitalized him three times. Despite extensive testing, doctors couldn't determine the cause of his symptoms. What Michael didn't know was that Debora had discovered a deadly secret: ricin, a naturally occurring poison extracted from castor beans—and she was serving it to him in his food.

The Fire

When firefighters arrived at 7517 Canterbury Court in the early morning hours of October 24, they found Debora and Kate outside the burning home. Tim and Kelly were still inside. Despite heroic efforts by first responders, Tim succumbed to severe burns and Kelly died from smoke inhalation. Kate had escaped by climbing onto the garage roof and jumping to safety. Investigators immediately noticed something disturbing: Debora appeared eerily calm as her children burned to death inside.

Arson investigators quickly determined the fire was no accident. Trails of accelerant led directly back to Debora's bedroom, and forensic evidence suggested she had deliberately cut off the children's escape routes. The investigation expanded when police connected Michael's mysterious illness to castor beans found in Debora's purse during a September domestic disturbance call. Toxicology tests revealed ricin antibodies in Michael's blood.

This Is Part 1

This episode covers Debora Green's early life, her marriages, the deterioration of her relationship with Michael Farrar, and the events leading up to the October 1995 fire. Part 2 will examine the investigation, Debora's arrest and trial, and the aftermath of this unthinkable crime.

Primary Source: This episode draws extensively from Ann Rule's authoritative 1997 book Bitter Harvest: A Woman's Fury, A Mother's Sacrifice, along with court documents, news archives, and forensic reports from the Johnson County investigation.

Resources:

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.

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On May 4, 2013, nine nurses celebrating a bachelorette party crossed the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in a white stretch limousine. At around 10:05 PM, thick black smoke began rising from the floor. Within minutes, the rear compartment was engulfed in flames. Four women and the driver escaped. Five women—including bride-to-be Neriza Fojas—remained trapped inside.

This episode features real 911 calls from witnesses and survivors, testimony describing desperate escape attempts through an 18-inch-high partition window, and the complete investigation findings. California Highway Patrol investigators concluded the fire resulted from catastrophic suspension failure, not the airbag rupture initially reported by media.

Listen on Obscura wherever you get podcasts. For extended content and ad-free episodes, join us on Patreon.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic 911 audio, survivor testimony describing entrapment, and discussions of burn injuries.

THE CASE

On the evening of May 4, 2013, Neriza Fojas—a 31-year-old nurse from Monterey, California—celebrated her recent wedding with eight close friends. All nine women worked together as nurses at healthcare facilities in the Bay Area. They had rented a white stretch limousine from Limo Stop, a San Jose company, to transport them to a wedding celebration at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City.

At around 10:05 PM, the 1999 Lincoln Town Car limousine began crossing the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge westbound toward the peninsula. Driver Orville "Ricky" Brown, 46, piloted the vehicle while the women celebrated in the rear passenger compartment behind a raised privacy partition.

THE FIRE

At around 10:05 PM, one of the passengers knocked on the partition and said "smoke." Brown initially believed she was asking permission to smoke a cigarette and told her to wait a few minutes. Then he felt bumps beneath the vehicle. Thick, black, acrid smoke began rising from the floor of the passenger compartment. Within seconds, the rear of the limousine was engulfed in flames.

Brown pulled onto the right shoulder near the bridge's high rise section. Emergency calls flooded 911 dispatch. "We need help on the San Mateo Bridge," a woman screamed. "Oh my God, oh my God. I cannot open the door."

Four women managed to escape through the narrow partition window separating the driver's compartment from the passenger area—a space measuring approximately 18 inches high by 3 feet wide. Survivors described pulling each other through the opening, with some becoming stuck at the hips. Amalia Loyola was the last to escape, suffering severe burns to her ankles as flames consumed the rear compartment.

Five women remained trapped: Neriza Fojas (31), Michelle Estrera (35), Jennifer Balon (39), Anna Alcantara (46), and Felomina Geronga (43). All five died from smoke inhalation. When firefighters extinguished the blaze, they found the victims near the partition window—their final desperate attempt to reach safety.

THE INVESTIGATION

California Highway Patrol investigators and the Foster City Fire Department conducted an exhaustive examination of the vehicle, maintenance records, and witness testimony. Their conclusion: the fire was accidental.

The catastrophic failure of the limousine's rear suspension system allowed the rapidly spinning driveshaft to make contact with the floor pan. The friction created sparks and intense heat, igniting the vehicle's interior. Contrary to initial media reports, investigators found no evidence of ruptured air suspension bags or the vehicle's undercarriage scraping the roadway.

Additional factors contributed to the tragedy: the limousine was overloaded with nine passengers despite being rated for seven, and the raised privacy partition prevented effective communication about the emergency. Driver Brown was cleared of wrongdoing after cell phone records confirmed he was not on his phone during the incident.

Four survivors and the families of the five deceased women filed wrongful death lawsuits against Ford Motor Company, Limo Stop, and Accubuilt (the company that converted the vehicle). Most cases settled out of court. A jury later found Ford not liable, determining that Limo Stop's chronic overloading and misuse of the vehicle—routinely carrying more passengers than it was designed to hold—caused the suspension system failure.

THIS EPISODE

This Obscura investigation features real 911 calls from the night of the fire, survivor testimony from subsequent legal proceedings, and official investigation findings from California Highway Patrol. The episode examines how a joyful celebration became a preventable tragedy through mechanical failure and regulatory gaps in the limousine industry.

RESOURCES

National Burn Victim Foundation: www.nbvf.org

California Highway Patrol Vehicle Safety: www.chp.ca.gov

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On April 1st, 2025, multiple emergency calls flooded dispatch centers across Claremont County, Ohio.

VICTIM PROFILE

Kelsey Hildal was a 34-year-old resident of Blue Ash, Ohio, known to her family as a former mixed martial arts competitor who had been struggling with severe mental health challenges for years. Her mother Robyn and father Rick described a daughter caught in cycles of paranoia and delusion, convinced that cartels and demons were pursuing her. In the weeks leading to that April night, Kelsey's condition had deteriorated rapidly—she had changed all her locks, parked her vehicle defensively in her yard, and made frantic calls to family members asking if police had "gotten to them" and "killed them." Despite her family's attempts to help, Kelsey refused treatment, leaving them helpless to prevent what they feared was inevitable.

CASE SIGNIFICANCE

This episode examines a tragic intersection of mental health crisis, law enforcement response, and the devastating consequences when systems fail to intervene before catastrophe. Kelsey's case represents thousands of similar incidents across America where individuals in psychiatric crisis encounter armed police rather than mental health professionals. The wrong-way driving incident that triggered the April 1st confrontation was not random chaos—it was the culmination of months of escalating paranoia that her family had documented through multiple attempts to get her help. The investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation would ultimately rule the trooper's use of deadly force justified, but the question remains: Could a different response have saved Kelsey's life?

CONTENT WARNINGS

This episode contains explicit law enforcement radio traffic, descriptions of a fatal officer-involved shooting, and discussions of severe mental health crisis including paranoid delusions and suicidal ideation.

EPISODE DETAILS

Part Two provides the complete timeline of April 1, 2025, beginning with the first 911 calls reporting a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275 near the Five Mile Road exit. You'll hear actual dispatch audio as multiple witnesses reported the gray SUV traveling eastbound in westbound lanes, then switching to northbound travel in southbound lanes. The pursuit culminated when Ohio State Patrol Trooper Andrew Francher performed an intentional vehicle collision—a "forward escape" maneuver—to stop Kelsey's Ford Escape against the median barrier wall near State Route 32. Body camera footage captured the harrowing final moments when officers discovered Kelsey was armed with a handgun. Despite repeated commands to show her hands, the situation escalated to gunfire. Kelsey was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation that followed revealed the full scope of Kelsey's mental health history through interviews with her parents Robyn and Rick Hildal, her aunt Laura McComas, her cousin Grant, and other family members. Their statements painted a portrait of a woman who had "been suffering all year long and refused help," whose paranoia had been building to the point where, as her mother stated, "she was looking to end it." Robyn's final words to investigators were heartbreaking: "I hope Kelsey is at peace, because she hadn't been for a long time."

PRIMARY SOURCES

This episode is based on official Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation reports, dispatch audio recordings from April 1, 2025, body camera footage from Ohio State Patrol, witness statements, family interviews conducted by BCI investigators, news coverage from Fox 19 Cincinnati, and the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office decision clearing Trooper Francher of wrongdoing in May 2025.

SUPPORT RESOURCES

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). For information about mental health crisis intervention training for law enforcement, visit www.nami.org/CIT.

OBSCURA ACCESS

Join our listener community for exclusive content, extended episodes, and in-depth research at www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. For the darkest cases with no censorship, explore BLACK LABEL premium episodes at podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/black-label/id6443660911. Visit our complete episode archive and case resources at www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura.

SUPPORT RESOURCES

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). For information about mental health crisis intervention training for law enforcement, visit www.nami.org/CIT.

OBSCURA ACCESS

Join our listener community for exclusive content, extended episodes, and in-depth research at www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. For the darkest cases with no censorship, explore BLACK LABEL premium episodes at podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/black-label/id6443660911. Visit our complete episode archive and case resources at www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura.

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Kelsey Hildal survived brain surgery at age ten that left her unable to walk. Three years later, a devastating car accident fractured her skull and altered her personality forever. Sent to wilderness boot camp in North Carolina, then to Montana Academy for troubled teens, Kelsey nearly died from hypothermia after running away in subzero temperatures. Against all odds, she became a basketball sensation at Flathead High School in Kalispell, Montana, breaking the single-game scoring record with 39 points. She walked on at the University of Montana and later competed as an amateur MMA fighter with a 7-7 record. But the trauma never left her. On April 1, 2025, Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to reports of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275 near Cincinnati. The confrontation ended in gunfire. This is Part 1: The complete story of who Kelsey Hildal was before everything went wrong.

Born on December 23, 1990, Kelsey Lamar Hildal was one of twin daughters to Robyn and Rick Hildal in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her twin sister Alix would become a Division I soccer player at Ole Miss. But Kelsey's path would be defined by survival from the very beginning.

VICTIM PROFILE:

In fifth grade, Kelsey was diagnosed with hemifacial spasm, a neuromuscular disorder causing involuntary facial twitches and spasms on one side of her face. The condition required microvascular decompression surgery at age ten. The procedure stopped the spasms, but Kelsey had to relearn how to walk, completing rehabilitation among stroke patients six times her age. Half of her face remained paralyzed for months.

Three years later, on the way to a soccer tournament, the Hildal family was involved in a catastrophic car accident. Her father Rick and twin sister Alix, sitting on the passenger side, walked away with cuts and bruises. Kelsey and her mother Robyn weren't as lucky. One side of the car was completely flattened. Robyn suffered a broken arm. Kelsey sustained a punctured lung, a broken arm, lacerations to her ear and face, and required staples in her head. The impact left her left arm permanently shorter than her right. But the most devastating injury was invisible: a traumatic brain injury that fundamentally altered her personality.

BEHAVIORAL CRISIS:

The change was gradual but profound. Kelsey went from a model student with perfect grades to a troubled teenager who didn't care about consequences. Her parents made the agonizing decision to send her to a wilderness boot camp in North Carolina. Men arrived in the middle of the night, handcuffed Kelsey, and took her away. She was enrolled in Montana Academy, a boarding school for psychologically troubled teens in rural Kalispell, Montana. At one point, so disenchanted with the program, Kelsey ran away. She was found eight miles away, passed out in subzero temperatures, nearly dead from hypothermia.

REDEMPTION THROUGH BASKETBALL:

But something changed. Under strict probationary rules, Kelsey was allowed to transfer to Flathead High School for her senior year in 2008-09. She showed up to basketball tryouts with a big bag on her shoulder and calmly asked Coach Kim Elliott if she could try out. Within minutes, the coaching staff realized they were watching something special. At just 5-foot-4, Kelsey averaged 18.8 points per game, third highest in Montana Class AA. On February 12, 2009, she scored 39 points against the defending state champion Missoula Big Sky Eagles, breaking Flathead's single-game scoring record. She walked on at the University of Montana, redshirted her freshman year, and later pursued an amateur MMA career, compiling a 7-7 record with her last bout in 2022.

But on April 1, 2025, at age 34, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Union Township Police responded to multiple 911 calls about a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275. The driver was Kelsey Hildal. What happened next would end her life.

EPISODE NOTES:

This is Part 1 of 2. Part 1 establishes Kelsey Hildal's complete background, medical history, and achievements. Part 2 will feature the complete audio from the April 1, 2025 incident and the investigation that followed.

Support Obscura and access Part 2 immediately:

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Today we cover a strange case. An unusual case. The case of Joe Winko. But who is Joe Winko? Well, pinning him down is a challenge in itself. I’ll try my best. I warn you this episode is going to be unlike any Obscura episode you’ve heard before. But I promise you it will be worth it.

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Hello Listener.

Today we cover a strange case. An unusual case. The case of Joe Winko. But who is Joe Winko? Well, pinning him down is a challenge in itself. I’ll try my best. I warn you this episode is going to be unlike any Obscura episode you’ve heard before. But I promise you it will be worth it.

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In December 1984, a man walked into a karate dojo in Dumfries, Virginia. Minutes later, he was dragged out the back door, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Decades later, the grainy footage of his brutal beating would reemerge on YouTube, igniting a firestorm of outrage, speculation—and questions that remain unanswered to this day.

In this Black Label episode of Obscura, Justin Drown unpacks the haunting story behind what came to be known as the "Kung Fu Guy Incident." At the center is Bobby Joe Blythe—a self-styled sensei with a history of violent stunts and a doctrine that turned martial arts into a license for cruelty. What happened inside that dojo wasn't a demonstration. It was an orchestrated attack on a mentally ill man, all filmed, narrated, and later uploaded by the very man who allowed it to happen.

This is not a tale of ancient discipline or honor. It's the story of power abused, a life discarded, and a justice system left paralyzed by the absence of a name. No arrest. No trial. No confirmed identity for the victim—only the echo of his last words and the sound of boots on concrete.

Listener discretion is strongly advised. The audio in this episode is graphic. The subject matter is disturbing. But the story must be told.

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Anchorage wakes to the knock that ends the hunt: October 27, 1983, troopers arrive at Hansen’s bakery, and an interrogation room papered with maps and faces waits for him. Search warrants turn his life inside out—an aerial map etched with 24 Xs, hidden firearms, and jewelry that speaks for the dead. Ballistics tell the rest: shell casings match the Ruger Mini-14, and those Xs resolve into graves in the wild.

From a 12-hour confession to a grim helicopter tour that yields new remains—including the victim dubbed “Horseshoe Harriet”—Obscura threads meticulous police work with the voices too long ignored. The gavel falls—461 years plus life—and the cold Alaskan air still carries the names of the missing.

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Anchorage’s pipeline boom promised prosperity, but under the neon and snow, someone was hunting. In this episode, we revisit the disappearances of young women—Megan Emerick, Mary Phil, Roxanne Eastland, and more—whose lives were too easily dismissed as the city looked the other way. Through survivor testimony, including Cindy Paulson’s harrowing escape, we chart the failures that let a predator thrive and the dogged investigators who refused to let the case go cold. Forensic breakthroughs and psychological profiling peel back the mask of Robert Hansen, the “Butcher Baker,” revealing calculation where others saw banality. Obscura’s trademark approach—unflinching, empathetic, and meticulously sourced—honors the victims while mapping the long, frozen road to justice.

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Anchorage during the oil boom promised quick money and fresh starts—but the wilderness kept its own secrets. In this episode, we trace the disappearances of young women drawn north by opportunity, and the investigators who fought isolation, scarce resources, and a chilling pattern surfacing in the tundra. At the center stands Robert Hansen, the seemingly ordinary baker whose long shadow fell over a city in rapid transformation. Through survivor voices, case files, and methodical police work, we reconstruct how the truth closed in—without losing sight of the lives behind the headlines. Dark, patient, and unflinching, this is Obscura at its most atmospheric.

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Not long after 9 PM on that Sunday night, in the sleepy new-build development of Dragon Rise, the back door security light of Jennifer and Stephen Chapple’s home flicked on. Their two boys aged 5 and 6 years old had been put to bed hours before and were sleeping soundly upstairs.

36-year-old Stephen was a well-loved IT teacher at West Somerset College. It was a secondary school in Minehead in Somerset, 23 miles away from his home in Dragon Rise. His wife 33-year-old Jennifer worked as a Customer Service Advisor at the coffee shop of the popular Otter Garden Centre in Norton Fitzwarren. At that time on a Sunday night, they were probably thinking about preparing for bed themselves. They had no idea what was about to explode into their home.

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Not long after 9 PM on that Sunday night, in the sleepy new-build development of Dragon Rise, the back door security light of Jennifer and Stephen Chapple’s home flicked on. Their two boys aged 5 and 6 years old had been put to bed hours before and were sleeping soundly upstairs.

36-year-old Stephen was a well-loved IT teacher at West Somerset College. It was a secondary school in Minehead in Somerset, 23 miles away from his home in Dragon Rise. His wife 33-year-old Jennifer worked as a Customer Service Advisor at the coffee shop of the popular Otter Garden Centre in Norton Fitzwarren. At that time on a Sunday night, they were probably thinking about preparing for bed themselves. They had no idea what was about to explode into their home.

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Listener, the story I am about to tell you is about greed, power and control exerted in the coldest way imaginable. On a normal day in July 2015 in Escambia County, Florida, three members of the same family got up in the morning and set about their daily routine. They didn’t know the brutality that was going to be rained on them, snatching away their lives before the day was done.

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Listener, the story I am about to tell you is about greed, power and control exerted in the coldest way imaginable. On a normal day in July 2015 in Escambia County, Florida, three members of the same family got up in the morning and set about their daily routine. They didn’t know the brutality that was going to be rained on them, snatching away their lives before the day was done.

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Listener, the story I am about to tell you is about greed, power and control exerted in the coldest way imaginable. On a normal day in July 2015 in Escambia County, Florida, three members of the same family got up in the morning and set about their daily routine. They didn’t know the brutality that was going to be rained on them, snatching away their lives before the day was done.

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Since the late 90s Khan Tusion has held the crown as the boogie man of the adult industry. He showed up in 1999 and immediately made a stamp as being particularly cruel. It was the dot com boom and adult websites were created in the thousands. Khan specialized in pushing limits and avoiding consent. Women showed up to shoots only to leave crying and traumatized. Khan Tusion would punch, kick, slap, and strangle.

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Reddit user CarlH is distinguished as Redditor of the day. A title reserved for quasi celebrity reddit users. CarlH enjoyed spending his free time teaching reddit users programming. Regarded as one of the most beloved users on the site. These days his name rarely, if ever comes up… Why is that?

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Listener, today's story is a study in consequences—the kind that sneak up on you in the silence after a mistake. We begin with a personal tale: a moment of breaking, a walk into the night, and the cold realization of what it costs to leave something behind. But it’s in the second half where things truly darken. In Vancouver, Washington, CDL driver Mark Fogel crashes his vehicle after drinking and spirals into a mental and emotional freefall that ends in bloodshed. A simple DUI becomes a fatal standoff, and a man already undone by guilt crosses a line that can’t be uncrossed.

Listener, not every tragic end comes with intent—but some do. And this one… it’s hard to forget.

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Listener, In this episode, you will hear the tragic story of Sha 'Shabi' Aslam, an internet personality who struggled with depression and dark fantasies. Known for his activity on 4chan's R9K board and his 'incel' identity, Shabi shared disturbing posts about his personal life and suicidal thoughts.

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Listener, this episode takes a sharp look into the fatal police encounter with 26-year-old Ocean McClintock, a man caught between chronic physical pain and spiraling mental health issues. You’ll hear the tense escalation from a single 911 call to the moment a vulnerable suspect is shot inside a patrol car, and the host questions whether this tragedy was truly inevitable. We explore conflicting perspectives—both pro-police and anti-police—to show the complexity of a system that sometimes fails those who need help most. If you’re seeking more ad-free, early-access episodes and exclusive Black Label content, consider joining us on Patreon or Apple Podcasts Premium. As always, head to https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/obscura/ for updates and ways to support the show.

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Listener, in this episode, rage explodes in a suburban parking lot and leaves a trail of bullets, shattered glass, and blood. You’ll hear how a routine domestic dispute morphs into a volatile standoff, costing one man his life and leaving a sheriff’s sergeant wounded. We’ll explore the chilling 911 call, the desperate gunfight, and the unsettling truth about just how fragile our sense of safety can be. Stick around for a dark tale where one instant of uncontrolled anger erupts in lethal consequences. For ad-free early access and exclusive content, support us on Patreon or Apple Podcasts Premium, and visit https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/obscura/ for more.

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Listener, in this episode, we enter a tense suburban night where a father with a gun to his head shatters the very notion of shelter. You’ll hear raw body cam audio capturing the fear and chaos as a family’s home becomes a battleground, ending in an officer’s split-second choice to protect those who still believe in a safe haven. This is a story about what happens when the one meant to provide comfort is the one who threatens it most. If you want more of the darkest stories Obscura has to offer, consider subscribing on Patreon or Apple Podcasts Premium for ad-free, early access to new episodes. And don’t forget to visit https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/obscura/ for updates and additional content.

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Listener, this episode picks up where we left off—moments after 13-year-old Linden Cameron is confronted by officers and shot multiple times. You’ll hear the harrowing chase, the immediate aftermath, and the long road to recovery for both Linden and his mother. This tragedy raised questions about the handling of mental health crises and the use of force by police. Join me to find out how a desperate call for help turned into a life-altering event. For ad-free early access and exclusive episodes, support us on Patreon or Apple Podcasts Premium, and visit https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/obscura/ for more.

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Listener, in this two-part episode, we investigate the tense moments leading up to a confrontation involving 13-year-old Linden Cameron and local police. You’ll hear raw 911 audio and discover the family’s desperation as they wrestle with mental health crises and mistrust of law enforcement. It’s a story that highlights how quickly an already fragile situation can turn dark. Don’t miss the next episode, where we examine the escalating events that changed everything. For ad-free early access and exclusive content, consider supporting us on Patreon or Apple Podcasts Premium, and visit my website for more.

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Join me on Black Label at https://www.patreon.com/c/obscuracrimepodcast

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Listener, in this episode of Obscura, we examine a harrowing 9-1-1 call from a Detroit police sergeant determined to end his life by “suicide by cop.” The tragic standoff unfolds with raw dispatch audio, revealing how a degenerative illness and mounting despair lead to a violent confrontation that injures two officers and ends in a fatal shooting. Join us as we shine a light on the darkness within these tapes—exploring the heartbreak, the high stakes, and the haunting aftermath for everyone involved.

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On February 4, 2021, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an individual called 911 to report a woman with two children walking in the middle of Alta Sierra Drive, near Gibboney Lane. The caller reported that as she was driving out of her street, she saw a loose dog as well as a woman with two kids. The caller indicated she asked the woman if it was her dog and “she was really weird about it”.

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A property manager spots two teens entering the Park De Ville Apartments. This area of Houston is considered particularly dangerous. It has a crime safety score of F. The stretch of road includes a payday loan business, a run-down self-serve car wash, and you can see the garbage strewn sidewalks from google maps. The Property manager calls 911 to report the break in and Officers are dispatched.

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In this episode of Obscura, we examine the tense chain of events that began with a routine traffic stop and ended with a fatal confrontation. On May 12, 2020, 37-year-old Gregory M. Howe, already on law enforcement’s radar following a concealed firearm charge earlier that month, was pulled over for a seatbelt violation. A sudden attempt to flee kicked off a high-speed chase through Daytona Beach, Orange City, and Deltona, ultimately ending in Howe’s driveway. There, he leveled a multi-colored shotgun at a detective and fired, prompting several officers to return fire. Howe was struck multiple times—around 28 by some reports—and pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind lingering questions and a sobering reminder of how a single traffic stop can escalate into tragedy.

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Listener, I want to warn you that this episode gets really, really disgusting at certain points. But not quite dark enough to be Black Label. When I research for an episode, I like to follow information to its natural conclusions. Sometimes this can take you to some disturbing places. Understand that going into this episode. Things are going to get pretty gross at points. You’ve been warned.

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On December 17, 2015, around 4:00 am, firefighters responded to a house fire on Sumac Street in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Once there, they found the body of a man in the house and contacted police. These charred remains. So damaged from burns and stab wounds. The victim's mother would run screaming from a courtroom at the first site of the autopsy photos three years later.

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On December 17, 2015, around 4:00 am, firefighters responded to a house fire on Sumac Street in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Once there, they found the body of a man in the house and contacted police. These charred remains. So damaged from burns and stab wounds. The victim's mother would run screaming from a courtroom at the first site of the autopsy photos three years later.

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On December 17, 2015, around 4:00 am, firefighters responded to a house fire on Sumac Street in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Once there, they found the body of a man in the house and contacted police. These charred remains. So damaged from burns and stab wounds. The victim's mother would run screaming from a courtroom at the first site of the autopsy photos three years later.

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Sacred Geometry, Core Love, and ascension chambers. It might sound like word salad. But it all applies to the subject of today’s case. And how a vulnerable person can find themselves in a desperate situation.

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October 16, 2023

Barbie Poplin and her boyfriend, Donald Passmore, are at the home on North Airline Road and everything is going well between them. As the evening carries on, Donald drank at least two half pints of Captain Morgan liquor and ginger ale. Donald is depressed. He’s been dealing with mental health issues after his mother recently died. Since then, he’s been struggling with drugs and alcohol

Note:: I play the shooting from two different angles because of the different quality of audio.

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The poster child for capital punishment. A man whose violent history has left a trail of destruction behind him.

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In 1973, three brutal murders were carried out along Interstate 57 in Illinois. The person responsible was only 17 years old.

Subscribe to Patreon to get early access to part 02.

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Old men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.

Herbert Hoover

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Listener, enjoy this Black Label premium episode. Join Black Label at https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

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Brian Cohee Jr. tells his family doctor that he’s experiencing headaches. He doesn’t tell the doctor about the lights that dance around his bedroom, just from the corner of his eyes. Or that sometimes, when his back is turned, bright light shines through his bedroom window. Impossible because, when he turns around, there is no car or man with shining flashlight.

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In today’s episode we’re going to cover the inner workings of a troubled mind. This episode is a prelude to an episode that will be full to the brim with source audio that includes 911 calls, body cam footage, and interrogation audio.

And, though I will use some source audio here, the content you hear today will be quoted directly from our killer. Much of what I read today will be directly from posts he made to the internet before committing a horrific crime.

For this episode I’m going to leave the killer's name out of it. That won't matter until part two. Though I will sprinkle some source audio throughout the episode for flavor. For now we focus on the turbulent mind of someone on a downward spiral to evil.

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Robert Salvador and Michael King head to target practice at a local firing range. Upon arriving at the range, King removes a nine-millimeter handgun from under the passenger seat of his Camaro. Salvador and King stay at the range for approximately one hour.

When King and Salvador part ways for the day, Salvador has a feeling in his gut. Something is wrong with the Michael King. Something felt off. Over the course of the next eight to nine hours Michael King would prove how horribly correct Salvador’s instincts were.

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Robert Salvador and Michael King head to target practice at a local firing range. Upon arriving at the range, King removes a nine-millimeter handgun from under the passenger seat of his Camaro. Salvador and King stay at the range for approximately one hour.

When King and Salvador part ways for the day, Salvador has a feeling in his gut. Something is wrong with the Michael King. Something felt off. Over the course of the next eight to nine hours Michael King would prove how horribly correct Salvador’s instincts were.

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Listener, I have a special multi-part series in store for you. For this episode we cover the players. Those involved. It’s an older story. With its murder taking place in 1924. At the time it was called The Crime of the Century, with a trial the likes the world had never seen. A full-blown media spectacle. And the victim caught up in a senseless scheme.

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Listener, I have a special multi-part series in store for you. For this episode we cover the players. Those involved. It’s an older story. With its murder taking place in 1924. At the time it was called The Crime of the Century, with a trial the likes the world had never seen. A full-blown media spectacle. And the victim caught up in a senseless scheme.

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Listener, I have a special multi-part series in store for you. For this episode we cover the players. Those involved. It’s an older story. With its murder taking place in 1924. At the time it was called The Crime of the Century, with a trial the likes the world had never seen. A full-blown media spectacle. And the victim caught up in a senseless scheme.

Join Black Label at Patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

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Listener, I have a special multi-part series in store for you. For this episode, we cover the players. Those involved. It’s an older story with its murder taking place in 1924. At the time, it was called. Century and the Crime of the world had never seen—a full-blown media spectacle. And the victim caught up in a senseless scheme.

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In Martha Moxley's Greenwich, Connecticut neighborhood, they called the night before Halloween Mischief Night. It would be that night in 1975 that 15-year-old Martha Moxley would take her final breath and with it would begin a 43-year-long battle to bring her killer to justice.

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Ben Varner’s whole world changed the moment he found out that his close friend Eric was murdered. Gallaudet represented a sort of sanctuary from the prejudice he faced growing up. But now the illusion was shattered. All those awful things that existed on the outside existed in Gallaudet as well.

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"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” - Helen Keller“

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Mark wonders if it’s finally happened. If he’s found what he’s searched for so many years. A spiritual awakening. Mark is ushered to a tub filled with water and herbs.

Necklaces are held out in front of him, and it takes a moment to realize he’s supposed to pick. He chooses one. The man holding the necklace mumbles, “Eshu. Trickster.”

Mark is told to kneel, his head then submerged in water. Baptized. When Mark comes up gasping for air, herbs are being rubbed into his skin. He knows from within he is a new person.

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In part one you were introduced to our flea-bitten Romeo and Juliet, Amanda and Jerad Miller. Jerad, unwashed and dressed in flea market chic, told you all about his beliefs about the New World Order.

Amanda made a post on Facebook on how she daydreamed about the end of the world. How she wanted to kill the unbelievers with a shotgun when that day came. 

Today, we bring everything home. Let's explore their violent end.

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This episode features real audio from Jerad Miller’s now deleted YouTube channel. The clips will play throughout the episode to give you a glimpse into a disturbed mind. With that said, I want to make it clear that there isn't political message. Today we simply explore the abyss.

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Listener, in today’s episode I’m going to do my best to avoid bias. I am covering the killing of Sonya Massey by a then-Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy named Sean Grayson. I am going to distribute the facts by use of court documents, news articles, and how they appear to my naked eye.

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Listener, in today’s episode we will refer to the victim of this case simply as M.S. This is for the safety of the victim, as she’s already been through enough. I ask that you leave the victim alone and not go out of your way to track down her name. Now, let’s get on with it.

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Peter Sotos is potentially the single most controversial figure in True Crime. A godfather of the genre, he pushed the boundaries in ways that made even yours truly uncomfortable.

This is a collaborative project put together with fellow True Crime creator T.Z. Borden. He's the host and creator of the excellent Tapes from the Darkside podcast. A podcast that takes you down the darkest roads the genre has on offer. When he asked me to collaborate on this project I couldn’t resist.

Borden aptly titled the episode Modern De Sade. What you’re going to hear is an expertly edited episode, crafted by Mr. Borden, which runs for 90 mins. Much of the episode features a conversation between me and TZ.

Tapes from the Darkside Website.

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On November 4th, 2018, at 8:59 AM, the Forsyth County 911 Center received a call. Jeanne Meyers, the homeowner, is on the call. She’s reporting her friend, Tamla Horsford, has fallen off a balcony. Jeanna hands her phone to the host of the party and her boyfriend Jose Barrera.

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Officer Miles Bennett was dispatched to a disturbance at a residence on the 500 block of Jefferson Street in the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The call was originally dispatched as "sister freaked out and boyfriend is bleeding. Possibly stabbed in arms." What the officer found was equally horrifying and mysterious.

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The following episode has several twists and turns. I ask that you hold on tight and not look into the case. You’ll have a better time if you do so. A lot of thought is put into Obscura in terms of keeping coverage objective. With that said the opening part of this episode is sourced directly from the Innocence project of Florida as well as court records. With several sections read verbatim. Alright… let’s get on with it.

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In high school Nicholas Brutcher was known as a bit of a jock and bully. Large for a teen, you didn’t want to get in his way on the football field. Nicholas played shoulder to shoulder with Aaron Hernandez and Alex Ryng. Aaron Hernandez was linked to three murders before committing suicide. Alex Ryng shot and killed both he and his wife in a 2014 murder suicide. The three players were all destined for violence. Each traveling their own dark road.

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In high school Nicholas Brutcher was known as a bit of a jock and bully. Large for a teen, you didn’t want to get in his way on the football field. Nicholas played shoulder to shoulder with Aaron Hernandez and Alex Ryng. Aaron Hernandez was linked to three murders before committing suicide. Alex Ryng shot and killed both he and his wife in a 2014 murder suicide. The three players were all destined for violence. Each traveling their own dark road.

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(Part 2) The following information has been sourced directly from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, court documents, social media websites, and eyewitness reports. And when I say directly, I mean often read verbatim. Listener discretion is advised.

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The following information has been sourced directly from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, court documents, social media websites, and eyewitness reports. And when I say directly, I mean often read verbatim. Listener discretion is advised.

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Martha Montoya has been given the worst news of her life. She’s been told by her (soon to be) 13-year-old daughter that all she wants for her birthday tomorrow is for her stepfather to move out. The disturbing reason why will start a domino effect that will tear the family apart.

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On Mar 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington, at around 7:00 AM, four-year-old Ariel Garcia was declared missing. The boy is Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 3 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 37 pounds. Ariel went missing at an apartment on Vesper Drive.

Ariel’s mother, Janet Garcia, struggles with drug and alcohol. To the point that it made her leave for days. And frequently without notice. Her grandmother described her daughter as being both violent and unpredictable.

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May 20th, 2020, two police officers arrive at a Grand Forks, North Dakota apartment complex. It’s around 2:00 PM and a sunny day. The officers are there to serve eviction papers to 41-year-old Salamah Pendleton and his mother Lola Moore. Nothing will go to plan.

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On August 18, 1988, Noberto Piertri walked away from the Lantana Community Correctional Work Release Center. At the time, he was restricted to the center's grounds while he awaited transfer to a more secure facility. Or, in other words, he escaped.

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Heather Claypool is sleeping. It’s early morning hours. A small creak stirs her. Between squinted eyes she scans the side of her bed. It was probably someone downstairs. She lived in an apartment. Heather drifts back to sleep. Another creak. She sits up. There is a man crouched at the end of your bed.

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Around 10 p.m. on January 30, 1993, Lynette Tschida went to the Winn Dixie store in Eustis, Florida. It was at the Grove Square Shopping Center in Lake County. She saw a young man and a teenage boy sitting on a bench near the entrance of the store.

As she walked in the store, she noticed how intense the older one was. He was tall, muscular. His smooth, but dark skin and handsome features betrayed by a scowl. He watched Lynette enter the store and she felt his eyes on her back as the automatic doors slid shut. 

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Nine year old Brisenia is sleeping in the living room of her home. She’s not sleeping in her bedroom because she’s so excited that she got a new puppy. At that age these experiences are so magical for us.

Her mother told her that her bed was freshly made with clean sheets. If Bresenia wanted to sleep with the puppy, then it needed to be in the living room. It was an easy choice. Raul Flores and Gina Marie Gonzalez, his wife, are sleeping in their bed.

It’s 1AM in the morning when someone knocks on their door.

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July 25, 2018 

Lakemoor, Illinois 

Officer Brianna Tedesco starts her shift. It’s 11:00 p.m. She’s scheduled until 7:00 a.m. Tedesco is dressed in her duty uniform of shirt, pants, and outer ballistic vest. She has her Lakemoor Police badge and name plate pinned to the outside of her vest and is wearing a duty belt which includes her standard duty gear.

Her body camera is equipped and, along with a squad camera microphone, she has a microphone clipped to her left shoulder. Listener, the body cam and microphones will give us insight into the worst day of Officer Tedesco’s career. And present to us the night that she peered the eyes later described as soulless.

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July 2009

Escambia County, Florida

Leonard “Patrick” Gonzales Jr., age 35, is broke. He’s desperate for cash. So desperate that his mom is paying his bills. Patrick, of course, finds this embarrassing. Against his wife Tabitha’s better judgment, he invested their savings into a Karate School. Savings that the two saved up together working at Long-Wiggins’ antique business.

But the Karate business, like 40 percent of businesses in the United States, went belly up. And that little venture has placed Patrick (and by extension Tabitha) in financial jeopardy. Patrick felt like he was letting his family down. Both his wife and his children. But he had an idea. His ticket out of this whole mess was 66-year-old Byrd "Bud" Starling Billings

Escambia County, Florida

Leonard “Patrick” Gonzales Jr., age 35, is broke. He’s desperate for cash. So desperate that his mom is paying his bills. Patrick, of course, finds this embarrassing. Against his wife Tabitha’s better judgment, he invested their savings into a Karate School. Savings that the two saved up together working at Long-Wiggins’ antique business.

But the Karate business, like 40 percent of businesses in the United States, went belly up. And that little venture has placed Patrick (and by extension Tabitha) in financial jeopardy. Patrick felt like he was letting his family down. Both his wife and his children. But he had an idea. His ticket out of this whole mess was 66-year-old Byrd "Bud" Starling Billings

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Katherina “Katie” Allen is afraid of her husband. On Easter Sunday, the 42 year old woman packed her things and took the kids with her. The man she married, Kevin Allen, age 51, has a history of violence. A 20 year long rap sheet. Filled with domestic abuse and death threats against the four women he married in his life.

Katie was going to play it cool. She’d meet Kevin at Cracker Barrel for their daughter Kerri Allen’s birthday party. There, in a public space, she would tell her husband that she wanted a divorce. And if Kevin became violent there would be witnesses. Things don't go to plan.

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Listener, rummaging through these old, discarded newspapers, it paints a picture for me. The image is of a community left in a state of terror. In which a man stretched his arm, and the people of Okaloosa recoiled. And this man, this monster was acting fast. But what he didn’t know is that investigators were on his tail. Closer than he realized.

Dr. Edmun Kielman and Chief Investigator Don Vinson were working in tandem. They had prints. They had DNA. Artists sketches. Eye witness reports. Investigator Don Vinson just needed to get there when the body was still hot. No decomposing corpse. Or someone discarded on the beach.

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In an episode that spans decades I take a look at serial killer James Delano Winkles. His victims, the headlines of the day, and the disturbing court documents shine a spotlight on this relatively obscure case. This one gets vile at times.

Unfurling this spider's nest reveals a black pitch shadow cast by James Winkles over Pinellas County. Any woman left alone in his stomping ground lived in a quiet sort of danger. A starless and moonless night where the daughters of the working class vanished.

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Nine-year-old Samuel James “Jimmy” Ryce is getting dropped off from his school bus at approximately 3:07 p.m. at a bus stop near his home in

the Redlands, a rural area of south Miami-Dade County. Jimmy is walking on the left side of the road. He has a short distance before he gets home.

Chavez spots Jimmy. His mind is all flashing images of prepubescent boys playing in water. But this boy is alone. And no one is around. Chavez turns the Ford Pickup around. He stops right in front of Jimmy’s path. The nose of the truck facing the nine-year-old.

Obscura - A True Crime Podcast | Patreon

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November 15th, 1995

Naples, Florida, Cracker Barrel

Eighteen-year-old night maintenance man Jason Wiggins stayed overnight to clean up. assistant manager Dorothy Siddle, 38, arrives around 4:30 a.m., and 27-year-old cook Vicki Smith showed up about 10 minutes later. Soon… chaos would unfold.

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Dive into the chilling world of The Zodiac, the elusive predator who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s. With five confirmed victims and a claim of thirty-seven, his taunting letters, cryptic ciphers, and menacing calls left an indelible mark of fear.

This season onFoul Play: Crime Series, The Zodiac takes you on a dark journey through the killer's mind and the decades-long quest to uncover his identity. From the detectives on his trail to the cryptographers decoding his messages, Foul Play explore every facet of the case that continues to fascinate and horrify.

Join Foul Play: Crime Series for a season of deep dives into the abyss of one of America's most haunting mysteries. You can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts.

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September 18, 2022

North Dakota

State Radio receives a 911 call. During the 911 call Shannon Brand tells State Radio that he hit a man with his vehicle and requests an ambulance. The man on the ground will later be identified as Cayler Ellingson.September 18, 2022

North Dakota

State Radio receives a 911 call. During the 911 call Shannon Brand tells State Radio that he hit a man with his vehicle and requests an ambulance. The man on the ground will later be identified as Cayler Ellingson.

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